Bayliss Grains features bulk grain storage, grain drying facilities, workshop and trucks. Photo: Elders Real Estate

LIVERPOOL Plains-based grain trading company, Agracom, has announced that it has purchased Bayliss Grain, a family-owned trading, storage and freight operation.

Located at Borambil, near Quirindi and Agracom’s headquarters, Bayliss Grain was listed for sale in March 2021.

Agracom managing director Joe Hallman said the company has acquired the Bayliss Grain storage facility and land as well as the trading, trucking and storage operations.

“Agracom has been utilising the Bayliss storage facility and the services of the Bayliss team for some time, and this transaction is a natural extension of this successful partnership,” Mr Hallman said.

“There is very little overlap between the two businesses and, as such, there will be no significant change to the Bayliss operations or the highly regarded Bayliss team, which has operated the Borambil site successfully for many years, developing strong relationships with both growers and end-users.

“Both businesses have been operating locally for many years and are pleased to be able to keep assets and employment 100 per cent local – it is a great strategic match.

Agracom directors Joe Hallman and Brett Donoghue. Photo: Agracom

“Importantly, the combined business will be even better placed to service the growers of the Liverpool Plains, and beyond, as well as domestic and international customers.”

Bayliss founder, Len Bayliss, has been carting grain since the 1960s, and established the company in the 1980s with his family.

The National Road Transport Hall of Famer has in recent years scaled back his involvement in the business which handles and trades crops including wheat, barley, sorghum and pulses grown in the region.

On behalf of the Bayliss family, Jodie Thompson said she was pleased that the company would remain in local hands.

“Bayliss Trading was founded by Len Bayliss more than 50 years ago, and has been a proudly local, and highly successful family business throughout that time,” Ms Thompson said.

“This is a great outcome for our business and staff, and we are pleased that the business will remain locally owned and operated.”

The Bayliss facility includes 24,000 tonnes of bulk grain storage, grain drying facilities, workshop and trucks comprising bulk tippers, walking floors and a bulk liquid tanker,

Mr Hallman said all the facilities will continue to be operated by the existing experienced and knowledgeable team.

Operating since 1981, Agracom has evolved to service domestic markets in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia as well as its home base on the Liverpool Plains.

Since 2010 the business has been exporting 100,000t per annum on average of containerised Australian grain to established markets in Asia.

The transaction will complete in January and any established agreements and existing contracts will be honoured and transferred to a subsidiary entity in the Agracom group.

Elders Real Estate agent Adam Chilcott handled the sale on behalf of the Bayliss family.

He said the business and founder had a strong reputation in the Liverpool Plains for several decades.

“Len Bayliss established a strong customer-first business,” Mr Chilcott said.

“Jodie Thompson, in recent years has continued the strong customer philosophy.”

He said the transaction saw interest primarily from grain traders, freight providers and domestic end users.

The sale price of the transaction met with vendor expectations but was not disclosed.

Source: Agracom